by Gregg Lerner
on
Tue, Dec 4, 2012 6:01 PM

Updated Thu, Dec 6, 2012 5:39 PM

Shea’s artistry in the air made her the target player to put a glancing header on a number of the long throws sent into the box by teammate Jackie Reyneke. She put away 34 goals and set up nine more for the Highlanders.

Rachel Egyed Clifton Jr. GK

Egyed reads and reacts to an impending advance at a high level. Besides her exceptional net coverage and anticipation to close down angles, which played a significant role in her 14 shutouts and 0.38 goals against per game, she could trigger a kick counter with her booming punts and long-distance goal kicks.

Jackie Reyneke Northern Highlands Sr. D

Certainly the 6-4 center back draws loads of attention for her unthinkably long throw-ins that reaped 32 assists, but what often went overlooked was the confidence in her defensive touch, organization of a rebuilt defensive third that sustained its demanded level of excellence (19 shutouts, five goals against), assertiveness challenging on the ball and ability to carry out of danger.

Kaila Jenkins Montclair Sr. D

The Pittsburgh recruit moved to the middle of the Montclair defense where her unmatched speed served her well in closing down incoming forwards and played a role in 13 shutouts for the Essex County Tournament and North Jersey, Section 1, Group 4 champions.

Jenny Haskel Ridge So. D

Trying to label by position is almost as difficult as shedding her as a mark. Skilled and tactically shrewd, Haskel (seven goals, seven goals) was invaluable in the back but was also tabbed to move up in the midfield as well as forward. She could have just as big an impact when she made a run out of the back.

Carly Rotatori Pingry Sr. M

Versatility was a strong suit of the Harvard-bound Rotatori, who adheres to a tireless work rate that was not only exemplary but paramount to her 11 goals, three assists, unsung defensive contributions and overall influence on the Big Blue’s run to a second straight Non-Public A state title.

Caroline Chagares Ramapo Jr. M

Already committed to Harvard, Chagares was the ultimate playmaker in the center of the park, collecting 30 goals and 14 assists, giving her 78 and 34, respectively over her first three seasons with the Green Raiders.

Madison Holleran Northern Highlands Sr. M

The orchestrator of a high-powered attack that generated 117 goals, Holleran not only directed flow and envisioned the flow, she chipped in consistently, collecting 22 goals and 12 assists.

Natasha Ntone Kouo East Brunswick Sr. F

Electrifying speed on the ball, adhesive touch on the move and a deadly finishing touch made the Maryland recruit incredibly difficult to contain and led to 22 goals and six assists for the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament champion.

Colby Ciarrocca Montgomery Jr. F

Ciarrocca combined a strong frame, good play in the air and a lethal shot to pump in 31 goals. But, overplaying her with the intent to deny her a look on the frame only encouraged her to display her unselfish side (18 assists).

Catrina Atanda Montgomery Sr. F

A magical touch on the ball enabled the Clemson-bound striker to weave through tight traffic and create enough of a seam to unload her mighty shot, one that found the back of the net on 22 occasions. Her bond with Ciarrocca up top was a big reason for her 10 assists.

How do you overcome a reputation that precedes you? In the case of Clare Shea, she outworks it.

It was no secret that the junior midfielder was the leading scorer for top-ranked Northern Highlands and, most often, the intended target that teammate Jackie Reyneke zeroed in on when releasing one of her long throws to the front of net. Shea certainly certified that approach by nodding a great deal of her 34 goals.

But, it wasn’t just her aerial dominance or confidence testing defenders on the ball. It was how impressive she was doing those things to the rate of 34 goals and nine assists against schemes designed specifically take away those traits.

“When we had opportunities off throw-ins or corner kicks, she did anything to get in a position to score,” Northern Highlands coach Tara Madigan said. “She did an awful lot of work off the ball just to get to a spot where maybe she’d have a chance to finish. If she wants to get something done, she gets it done regardless of what obstacles are in the way.”

Shea made it perfectly clear from the outset that she planned to be practically unstoppable in the final third. She scored at least once in each of the first 10 matches and was held without a goal in only three contests while playing such a significant part in a second straight 24-0 run that ended with an NJSIAA Group 3 state title.

Coach of the Year: Tracy Trobiano, Glen Rock

Tracy Trobiano has maintained the same principles and values in regards to coaching since she began at Glen Rock 18 years ago.

Wins were never a driving factor, no matter how rapidly they piled up. State titles, though nice, didn’t consume her. The job has always been about maximizing the enjoyment of the experience for her players.

Certainly, Trobiano can be tactical as the seven state titles earned by the Panthers during her tenure, the most recent of which coming on Sunday with 4-0 victory over Bordentown in the NJSIAA Group 2 final, will attest.

But, those who played for her mention a fondness for occasional irreverence and credit it to a large degree for what makes Glen Rock annually among the best programs in New Jersey.

“The best part about Tracy is she always knows what to do and when,” senior forward Sophie Lederer said. “She can really feel our mood. Sometimes, we’d come in after a huge game and it’s not the time for sprinting and running. So, we’d play dodgeball. She just has a way to bring us all together.”

“There’s no doubt we would not have been in this position without Tracy,” senior center midfielder Hannah Petrone noted. “She understands every single player. She takes the time to understand us individually. That matters. Everyone has a different style and she plays to our strengths.”

“She is like a mother to us,” added senior midfielder/defender Sarah Fiorino. “I’ve been on the team since my freshman year so I experienced by whole high-school career with her. She means everything to us.”